Radiator structure with humidifier



May 16, 1933. c RQSENOW 1,909,189

RADIATOR STRUCTURE WITH HUMIDIFIER Filed Feb. 7, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l M y 16, 9 3- E. c. RosENow I 1,909,189

RADIATOR STRUCTURE WITH HUMIDIFIER Filed Feb. 7, 1950 2 sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED. STATES- EDWARD C. ROSE-NOW, OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA.

RADIATOR STRUCTURE WITH HUMIDIFIER Application filed February 7, 1930. Serial No. 426,529.

b dation of the humidifier.

Ill

It is an object of this invention tO-COI1r struct a radiator having an improved arrangement of means integral therewith forming a receptacle adapted to contain the water or liquid for the humidifier.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a radiator having a water containing trough or receptacle formed as a part thereof said receptacle being adapted to have supported therein sheets of absorbent material extending longitudinally of the radiator as well as sheets extending transversely of the radiator between the sections thereof.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such aradiator and humidifier structure as set forth in the preceding paragraph which can be used with radiators having two or more laterally spaced columns, a trough or receptacle preferably being pro-- vided extending through the openings between the columns.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a radiator structure having formedthereon a receptacle for holding the liquid for the humidifier, sheets of absorbent material supported in said receptacle, together with other sheets of absorbent material extending transversel of said sheets and means supported by t e. radiator extending between the sections thereof at the sides of the radiator for obscuring said sheets, said last mentioned means preferably being in the form of plates which also may have portions tending to hold said sheets in proper position.

It is another object of the invention to provide a humidifier which is self-sterilizing. It is well known that in humidifiers which employ pans or receptacles in close proximity to heating units holding a large amount of water the water is almost sure to become stagnant and have an objectionable odor just as occurs in ponds or lakes in summer. With the present structure the receptacle the water is of small dimensions so that there is not a great body .of. water present. The water is furnishedcontinuously in a sufficient quantity to kee the evaporating surfaces well moistened. hese evaporating units become more or less coated or impregnated with the salts from the water. I have discovered that these salts are bactericidal andevenif the small quantity of water in thereceptacle remains for some time with little change from evaporation as. occurs during mild weather, there would be sufiicient interchange between the water and the salts on the evaporating members to sterilize the water or inhibit the growth of germs sufliciently to prevent objectionable odors. When the water is being supplied continuously and evaporated the same is of course kept fresh and clear as occurs in a flowing stream.

It is more specifically an object of the invention to provide a very narrow trough" or receptacle for the water to be evaporated in which trough is disposed a folded absorbent sheet having parallel side portions, said sheet being provided with slots extending therein from its top in which slots are disposed other absorbent sheets extending trans versely beyond the sides of the trough or receptacle. I

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the followingdescription made in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and in 85 which Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a radiator having the invention applied thereto, certain parts being broken away and others shown in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a View in end elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1, certain parts being broken away and others shown in vertical section;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view, certain portions 95 being shown in horizontal section;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1 showing the invention applied to a radiator having more than two spaced vertical columns;

Fig. 5 is a viewin end elevation of the 106 Cil structure shown in Fig. 4, certain parts being broken away and others shown in vertical section, and

Fig. 6 is a top plan view, a certain portion being shown in horizontal section.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 to 3, a radiator is shown comprising sections spaced longitudinally of the radiator, and including intermediate sections 9 and end sections 10, having portions 9a and 10a respectively adjacent their upper ends projecting at the sides of the radiator and adapted to be connected. The connecting means for the sections may include gaskets 11 respectively disposed between adjacent sections. The radiator sections are also held in position by connecting means extending therethrough including washers 12 and nut-s 13. The radiator sections 10 have lateral projections 96 and 10b adjacent their hottoms similar to the projections 9a and 100 which are also connected by suitable connecting means, which may include gaskets l4. Pipes or nipples 16 are shown at the ends of the radiator connected to the radiator end sections by suitable couplings 17. The end sections of the radiator are also shown as having legs 1.00 for supporting the radiator. The radiator shown in Figs. 1 to 3 is a two-column radiator, each of the sections 9 and 10 having spaced vertical columns 9d and 10d respectively.

In accordance with the present invention, the sections 9 have formed integrally therewith and extending upwardly from the lower portions 9?), narrow troughs 96. As clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, these troughs extend substantially centrally between and are spaced from the vertical columns 961. The troughs 96 on the various sections will be connected to the troughs on the adjacent sections and the gaskets 14 may be formed to extend upwardly between the sides of the abutting troughs 90. to sea]. the oints so that a continuous liquid-tight trough is formed. The end sections 10 are similarly provided with narrow troughs 106 which extend upwardly from the portions 106 centrally between the vertical columns 10d, the troughs 100 having their outer ends closed. These troughs will be connected with the trough sections 9@ of the intermediate sections of the radiator and a continuous liquid or watertight trough is thus formed extending from one end of the radiator to the other and having closed ends. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the trough is of rather small height. A conduit 18 is shown extending into one of the end troughs 106 to supply water to the said receptacle. A sheet 19 of absorbent material is shown as folded at its intermediate portion to have parallel side portions which portions have their lower edges disposed in the trough or receptacle in the radiator and extending substantially throughout the length thereof. \Vhile the sheets 19 may be of any desired form, they preferably arc of the structure shown and described in my co-pending application, S. N, 309,4:49, filed on October 1st, 1928 on humidifying device. The sheets 19 are provided with transverse slots at spaced intervals serving to provide notches in the upper edge of the folded sheet, and other sheets 20 of absorbent material shown as rectangular in shape are disposed in these slots and extend transversely of the radiator in the spaces between the sections 9 and 10. Sheets 20 are shown as having their lower edges resting on the top oi? the trough sections 96.

The sections 9 and 10 are also provided. at their adjacent sides with projections or pins 21 extending towards each other into the spaces between the sections and while these pins 21 may be variously formed, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated they are shown as being cast integral with the radiator sections. Plates 22 are provided of elongated shape, the same having inturned and slightly curved ends 22a. These end portions 22a: are adapted to resiliently engage over the pins 21, said plates being made of resilient material. The plates 22 are thus held in place on the pins 21 and are of a width to extend between the sections 9 and 10 at their outer sides. The plates 22 are shown as having various openings 22b therethrough, the upper and lower ones of which are shown as elongated slots. The central openings are shown as substantially square and are formed by pr ing in wardly tongues 220. The tongues are disposed a short distance above the upper edges of the sheets 20 so that these sheets will be kept from being unduly tilted in the red ator. The lower edges of the sheets 118 also held by the lower portions 220.

In operation the trough will be supplied continuously with water which will be absorbed by the sheets 19 and 20 so that the latter are saturated. The moisture will be evaporated by the heat of the radiator and will thus pass into the room. The plates 22 are provided so that the sheets 19 and 20 will be obscured and a neat and pleasing appearance given to the side of the radiator. The pins 21 are provided at each side of the radiator and plates 22 may if desired be placed at each side.

In Figs. 4: to G radiato shown comprising the intermediate sections 29 and the end sections 30. These sections have the upper laterally extending portions 29a and 30mand the lower laterally extending portions 29?) and 30?) similar to the portions 901 and 10a and 9b and 10%) previously described. The sections are connected in the usual manner and the connecting means may comprise the upper gaskets 31. The upper loo connecting means are shown as including washers 32 and nuts or plugs 33. The lower portions 29?) are also connected in the usual:

The sections 29 and 30 are shown as having three spaced vertical columns 29d and 30d respectively.

In accordance with the present invention the intermediate sections 29 have formed integrally therewith narrow troughs 296 which extend upwardly from portlons 29b midway betwen the spaced vertical columns 29d. The end sections 30 have similar troughs 306 extending between their vertical columns, the troughs being closed at the outer ends of the sections and said end sections also have connecting troughs 30f extending between and connecting the troughs V 306. The ends of the troughs on all of the sections are aligned and, the gaskets 34 are shown as extending upwardly between the sides of the trough to form a watertight sea]. so thata water-tight trough or receptacle is formed in the radiator which comprises the two troughs extendingebetween the columns and connected by the transverse end troughs 30f. A pipe or conduit 38 is shown as extending into one of the troughs 30a to supply water thereto. Folded absorbent sheets 39 are shown as having their lower portions, disposed in the several longitudinally extending through portions throughout substantially the whole length of the trough or receptacle. Transverse sheets 40 are shown extending between and into vertical slots formed in the sheets 39, sheets 40 projecting beyond each of the troughs substantially to the sides of the radiator and disposed in the spaces between the radiator sections. -Sections 29 and 30 are provided with pins 41 projecting toward each other in the spaces between the radiator sections, said pins being shown as cast integrally with the radiator sections. Plates 42 similar to theplates 22 already'described have inwardly bent ends 42a resiliently engaging over the pins 41. The plates 42a are provided with longitudinally extending spaced narrow slots and with. rectangular openings therebetween, saidopenings being formed by the struck-up tongues 42?) which extend inward ly a short distance above the tops of the sheets 40. The tongues 42?) will prevent any undue tipping of the sheets 40. It will be seen that the lower edges of the sheets rest on the top of the troughs 29c and 306 and the edges also substantially engage the lower in-turned portions 42a of lates 42.

In operation water will be supplied to the This water will be absorbed by the sheets 39 and 40 so that the latter are saturated and water .will be continuously evaporated from the sheets'by the heat of the radiator. I These sheets will be hidden by the plates 42 so that a neat and pleasing appearance is had for the side of the radiator.

It will be noted that the trough or receptacle carrying the water to be evaporated is quite narrow so that there is no great body of water contained therein. The water is continuously supplied in quantities suflicient tokeep the sheets 19 and 20 well moistened and the water is thus completely changed in r results in preventing the water from becoming stagnant or ill smelling. As the water evaporates on the sheets 19 and 20 they become more or less impregnated and coated with the salts which have been in solution in the water. I'have discovered by tests and experiments that these salts deposited on the sheets are bactericidal. The sheets are therefore kept sterilized and are really self- "sterilizing or automatically sterilized. As

stated, when the water is being continuously supplied and passes through the receptacle to the sheets, it is kept in fresh and sanitary condition. Should the heat not be supplied for a period and there be water standing in the trough, the salts on the sheets tend to bo back intosolution in the water and.

interchange between the salts deposited on 1 the sheets and the water in the trough to cause partial or complete sterilization of the water. This is a very important feature of my invention, because it obviates the necessity of adding, from time to time, an oxidizing antiseptic to the water, as has been deemed necessary in applicants prior applications. The addition of the oxidizing or other sterlizing antiseptic such as potassium permanganate, while not necessary in practical use, is desirable in the beginning because it has been found to increase the ab sorbing capacity of the'absorbent sheets, and because it would kill the germs in the'water in the pan and those deposited on the moist surfaces until. the sheets have become sufiiciently impregnated with the salts to be selfsterilizing. I

- From the above description. it is seen that large 7 continuous trough through the pipe 38. I have provided a very simple and efiicient 1 construction of humidifier to be used in con nection with a heating radiator. The container for the liquid or water to be evaporated is formed integrally with the radiator sections and it is unnecessary therefore to supply any separate receptacle or pan together with any supporting or holding means therefor. The trough on the radiator formed so as to effectively hold the sheets o1 absorbent material and at the same time provide sufiicientwater space for supplying water thereto. The sheets are of course made of very absorbent material and water continuously supplied to keep them in moistened or saturated condition. The water supply will oi course be regulated to maii'itain a certain level in the radiator trough. By the use of the invention an efiicient humidifier is provided at a greatly reduced expense and with much less trouble than with prior types of humidifiers using separate receptacles for the water. The trough sections are assembled at the same time the radiator sections are assembled so that there is no extra work entailed. The plates 22 or 42 result in a very pleasing appearance and hide the absorbent sheets.

The structure is, as above explained, such that the device is self-sterilizing so that the liquid is always fresh and sanitary and does not become foul or ill smellin This is due to the fact that the bacteria are killed by the which have been carried in the liquid. There is such a ratio of liquid to the evaporating surface that enough salts are present to keep the liquid partially or completely sterilized even though itremains in the trough for some time. It is apparent that the device will have a high degree of utility for the purpose intended.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, proportions and arrangement of the parts, without departing from the scope of my invention, which, generally stated, conin a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed and delined in the appended claims.

hat is claimed is 1. A radiator comprising a plurality of sections including end and intermediate sections, said sections having spaced vertical columns and having connected portions adjacent their lower ends, a narrow trough formed integral with each section and extending upward from said portions and horizontally longitudinally of said radiator between and spaced from said columns and or comparatively small depth so as to interiere little with the circulation of air be tween said. columns either longitudinally or transversely of the radiator, sealing means between the ends of said troughs in said radiator assembly whereby a continuous trough-like receptacle is formed, the troughs in said end sections having closed ends, and a conduit for supplying water to said receptacle.

2. A radiator comprising a plurality of sections including end and intermediate sections, said sections having spaced vertical. columns and having connected portions adjacent their lower ends, plates integral with said sections each extending longitudinally of the radiator between the columns in spaced relation to the columns and in aligned and abutting relation to each other, each of said plates being hollowed out on its upper edge whereby a continuous trough-like receptacle is provided, means closing the ends of said receptacle, and means for supplying water to said trough.

3. A radiator comprising a plurality of sections including end. and intermediate sec tions, said sections having three or more laterally spaced vertical columns and having connected portions adjacent their lower ends, narrow shallow troughs formed integral with each section and extending through the spaces between said columns longitudinally of said radiator, sealing means for the ends of said troughs wh re by a continuous trough-like receptacle is formed in said radiator assembly at each side thereof, the troughs in the end sections of said radiator having channels connecting the same also formed integral with the radiator sections, and a conduit for supplying water to one of said troughs.

4. A humidifier structure comprising aheating radiator having a plurality of sections comprising spaced vertical columns, each section having formed thereon anarrow trough integral therewith and extending lengthwise of said radiator between and spaced from the vertical columns thereof, sealing means for said troughs between said sections whereby a continuous trough-like receptacle is formed, a sheet of absorbent material having its lower portion disposed in said receptacle and extending lengthwise of the radiator between the vertical columns thereof, absorbent sheets extending transversely of and in contact with said first named absorbent sheet and extending laterally beyond said receptacle between the sec tions of the radiator, and means for supplying liquid to said receptacle.

5. A humidifier structure comprising a heating radiator having a plurality of sections comprising spaced vertical columns, each section having formed thereon a narrow trough integral therewith and extending lengthwise of the radiator between the vertical columns thereof, sealing means for said troughs between said sections whereby a continuous trough-like receptacle is -formed, said receptacle being adapted to contain liquid to be evaporated, sheets of absorbent mos, 1'99 material communicating with said trough, means for supplying liquid to said receptacle, and plates secured to said radiator at one side thereof and extending between said sections from a point adjacent said trough to a point a considerable distance above said trough. i

6. A humidifier structure comprising a heating radiator having a plurality of sections comprising spaced vertical columns, each section having formed thereon a narrow trough integral therewith and extending lengthwise of the radiator between the vertical columns thereof, sealing means for said troughs between said sections whereby a continuous trough-like receptacle is formed, said receptacle being adapted to contain liquid to be evaporated, means for supplying liquid to said receptacle, sheets of absorbent ma-i terial communicating with said receptacle, said radiator sections having means at the sides thereof extending toward each other in, the spaces between said sections, and

plates removably engaging said means and supported thereby at their tops and bottoms at one side of said radiator and extending between the sections thereof from a point adjacent said receptacle to a point a considerable distance above said receptacle for obscuring said sheets.

7. A humidifier structure having in com 'bination, a radiator having sections spaced and a point a considerable distance above said sheets, and plates extending between the sections of said radiator at one side thereof and having resilient top and bottom portions engaging said members to hold said plates in position, said plates having means projecting inwardly therefrom for holding said sheets in the desired positions.

8. A humidifier structure comprising a heating radiator having a plurality of sections comprising spaced vertical columns, each section having formed thereon a narrow trough integral therewith and extending lengthwise of said radiator between and spaced from the vertical columns thereof, sealing means for said troughs between said sections avhereby a continuous trough-like receptacle is formed, a sheet of absorbent material folded along its median line to have parallel side portions having their lower free edges disposed in said trough and in spaced vertical columns, narrow shallow troughs formed integral with each section and extendmg in transversely spaced relation to each other through the spaces between said columns longitudinally of said radiator, sealing means for the ends of said troughs whereby two continuous trough-like receptacles are formed opposite to each other in said radiator assembly, and means for supplying water to said trough-like receptacles. v

10. In a device of the typedescribed, the combination of a plurality of radiator sections including end and intermediate sections each having three or more laterally spaced vertical columns, narrow shallowtroughs formed integral with each section and extending through the spaces between said columns longitudinally of said radiator, sealing means for the ends of said troughs whereby a continuous trough-like receptacle is formed in said radiator assembly at each side thereof, means for supplying water to said trough-like receptacles, absorbent sheets resting on edge in said receptacles for taking water by capillary at- V traction therefrom, and other absorbent sheets arranged transversely of said receptacles, between the several sections of the radiator and engaging said first named absorbent sheets for taking water by capillary attraction therefrom.

11. In a deviceof the-type described, the

combination of a plurality of radiator sections including end and intermediate sections each having three-or more laterally spaced vertical columns, narrow shallow troughs formed integral with each section and extending through the spaces between said columns longitudinally of said radiator, sealing means for the ends of said troughs whereby a continuous trough-like receptacle is formed in said radiator assembly at each side thereof, means for supplying water to said trough-like receptacles, absorbent members in the form of strips folded along their median lines for providing spaced side portions adapted to rest on edge'in said receptacles for taking water by capillary attraction from said receptacles, and other absorbent sheets arranged transversely of said receptacles between the several sections of the radiator and having notched engagement with said first named absorbent members for taking water by capillary attraction therefrom.

a 12. A humidifier structure comprising, in combination, a heating radiator having a plurality of sections comprising spaced vertical columns, each section having formed thereon a narrow trough integral therewith 10 and extending lengthwise of the radiator between the vertical columns thereof, sealing means for said. troughs between said sections whereby a continuous trough-like receptacle is formed adapted to contain liquid to be evaporated, absorbent sheet means supported on its lower edge in said receptacle for taking moisture by capillary attraction therefrom, other absorbent sheets arranged transversely of said receptacle between the so several sections of the radiator and releasably engaging said first named absorbent sheet means for taking moisture by capillary attraction therefrom, and means for feeding liquid to said receptacle.

13. A humidifier structure comprising in combination a heating radiator having a plurality of sections comprising spaced ver tical columns, each section having formed thereon a narrow trough integral therewith and extending lengthwise of said radiator between and spaced from the vertical columns thereof, sealing means for said troughs between said sections whereby a continuous trough-like receptacle is formed, absorbent sheet means resting on edge in said receptacle for taking moisture by capillary attraction from the receptacle, other absorbent sheets arranged transversely of said receptacle between the several sections of the radiator and having notched engagement with said first named absorbent sheet means for taking moisture by capillary attraction therefrom, and means for feeding liquid to said receptacle.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

EDWARD C. ROSENOW. 

